La Santa Muerte

chapter 7- dont talk back

marisela- yea i can help with that no one would expect it from me

adan- tomorrow after school come over and we'll talk to him

marisela- ok sounds good

adan- why you quiet?

marisela- my dad got home mad so im staying as quiet as i can ill text you ok

adan- run if anything

marisela- i wish i could .. by babe

she ended the call as she heard her parents arguing get louder

she turned off the light and pretended to go to sleep

she heard her room door open

vero: how can you sleep this early? the house is a mess! and there no food cooked or in the fridge!

she got up

marisela: what do you want me to do haw? you didnt leave me any money for food! and i cleaned you guys make the fucking mess!

vero slapped her

ver: dont you talk back to me! get up go to the store and come home and clean!

maricela: how do you expect me to get to the store if its closed? and i cant drive either!

vero: go to the 24 hour one then and take my car

maricela: no i dont trust that car ill go tomorrow on the bus

vero: no go now you'll take forever after school

marisela: why even go to school i should quit and be your fulltime slave?

vero slapped her again and harder making her fall to the floor

vero: go to the store now

she threw the keys and money at her

marisela: fine ..

she got herself up and grabbed her sweater .. she left

marisela- you think if i crash the car and it kills me they'll care?

adan- they wouldnt care but i would .. you ok?

she broke down after she read his text

marisela- ill be ok just another night she sent me to the store thinking of cutting her brakes when i get back haha

adan- i would help but if she survuves she'll know its you that did it

marisela- true true nevermind

she cleaned her tears and got down and shopped .. but she didnt know she had a bruised cheek

cashier: you ok?

marisela: yea why?

she looked at her confused

cashier: you have a really dark bruise on the side of your face? did your? or did?

her heart sunk

marisela: oo no haha im single it nothing like that i got into a car accident recently and its barely healing

cashier: wow sorry hope it heals looks painful

she nodded and paid and left .. she was angry

adan: wo?

marisela: see this is why i wanted to cut her brakes ..

he looked at her face as his brother walked out

pedro: marisela?

marisela: hi

adan ;this is my brother p this is mari my girl

he side hugged her

pedro: dam it looks like hes hitting you shit is that from your parents?

adan: i know right shit

marisela: my mom hit me this time i was talkign back .. but i should go before shes more mad

pedro: you fighting back or?

marisela: today i talked back she back handled me twice .. i try not to fight back really because it makes things worse so im trying to stay calm and lay low but its hard

pedro: this has really been going on for a while haw?

marisela: yea .. the beating started around 5 because i would make messes once i caught on if i cleaned they would stop .. thats when she started to get me to cook and clean be a slave

pedro: holy shit

marisela: yea feels weird to talk about this haha

pedro: so you down for it? you aint gonna get scared?

adan: i told you

pedro: i know but i wanna hear it from her

marisela: im down for anything as long as im making money i dont care im not scared either .. and i know i come off as the good girl in the neighborhood its going to stay like that to

pedro: why?

marisela: so no one will question me or anything i do

pedro: alright sounds good but ay stay on the low from your parents ok i dont want you to get more hurt you dont deserve that

adan: hes right babe even if you wanna talk back

marisela: i know i have to .. wont stop anything though

pero: i know but remember karmas a bitch theyve done wrong and itll come back to them

marisela: thats true

pedro: we'll talk tomorrow you'll be making money quick dont trip

she nodded and walked away

marisela: i should go before she seesthe time

he hugged and kissed her

adan: i love you and iw ant to stay strong im here for you baby

she hugged him and broke down

adan: dont cry babygirl come on

marisela: i love you even more i think if you hadnt come into my life .. i wouldnt have been around much longer

he hugged her

adan: ill always be here to keep pushing you if you feel like giving up im here .. we got this baby

she kissed him and went home

vero: hours later

marisela: yea it was busy but i got everything

vero: you went to the store with that bruise?

she took a deep breath she didnt wanna say anything ..

marisela: yea you gave it to me and if i didnt go you would probably give me another one to match

she put all the things away as vero watched

vero: what do you tell people if they see your bruises?

she stopped and looked at her

marisela: are you worried someone will talk or are yo embarassed that i have to stay covered half the time because of your beatings?